NCJ Number
91841
Date Published
1982
Length
92 pages
Annotation
West Virginia needs to consolidate existing county jails, improve jail conditions, establish correctional programs, reduce enforced idleness among inmates, and improve the effectiveness of resource allocation.
Abstract
About one-fourth of the State's jails have recently been involved in litigation about alleged violations of inmates' rights. As a result, in July 1982, the Governor's Committee on Crime, Delinquency, and Correction contracted for a study of local jails. Study data came from site visits, a mail survey of criminal justice and mental health personnel, and interviews. Most of the study recommendations depend on the passage of legislation, such as the proposed Omnibus Jail Reform Act. The State should use interlocal agreements between neighboring counties to consolidate existing county jails, should construct a State-operated facility for about 250 misdemeanants sentenced for terms of 90 days or more, establish a jail commission or committee to implement elements of the jail reform program, and create minimum standards for the State's jails. Other needs are at least 200 hours of entry-level training for corrections officers; training in the identification of symptoms of mental illness; an increase in the releases of offenders on their own recognizance; and use of the educational, recreational, and mental health resources which are available to jail inmates. About 20 more recommendations and appendixes presenting the study instruments, background information, and 44 references are included.